Garrett rejects Traveston Dam

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett says he will not allow the Traveston Crossing Dam near Gympie in south-east Queensland to go ahead.

Mr Garrett says his decision was based on the risk the dam posed to the environment.

"After considering the Traveston Dam proposal and the best available scientific evidence and other material ... it is my intention to say no to the Traveston Dam," Mr Garrett said in Brisbane today.

"It is clear to me that the Traveston Dam cannot go ahead without unacceptable impacts on matters of national environmental significance."

The Federal Water, Agriculture and Infrastructure Ministers and the Queensland Government now have 10 business days to comment before the ruling is ratified.

The Federal Nationals leader and local member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss, says Mr Garrett's the decision will be a huge relief to people in the Mary Valley.

"The local community has gone through three and a half years of hell; their lives have been disrupted, properties resumed, people have wondered what the future would hold," he said.

"Now at last the region can get on with planning for the future with a degree of confidence."

Mr Truss says Mr Garrett could not have made any other choice.

"The environmental evidence was really overwhelming and I don't think there's any doubt - I've been amazed that the Queensland Government have persevered with this proposal for so long," he said.

Environmental concerns

Mr Garrett received a final report from Queensland's coordinator-general in October recommending the controversial project be approved with about 1,200 conditions.

But he says after considering all the information he has and advice from his department, it is clear the dam would have "unacceptable impacts on matters of national environmental significance".

"I have based my proposed decision on the science presented to me, and the science shows that this project would have serious and irreversible effects on nationally listed species such as the Australian lungfish, the Mary River turtle and the Mary River cod," Mr Garrett said.

"The area that would be flooded by this proposal is critical habitat for populations of these species. The evidence before me showed that flooding this habitat would have serious consequences for those species, including on their ability to breed and maintain population numbers."

Mr Garrett said that throughout the assessment process, people suggested ways to better protect the Mary River environment and the threatened species that rely upon it.

"Irrespective of my final decision for this proposal, I believe that there are measures that should be implemented including; rehabilitation of riparian corridors; improved cattle fencing around sensitive habitat and finalisation of recovery plans for the Australian lungfish," he said.

Economic factors

Mr Garrett said he also took into account the social and economic impacts of the proposed dam.

"An independent expert review conducted by the Centre for International Economics creates serious doubt about the economic benefits of the dam," he said.

"My decision requires me to balance environmental, economic and social impacts. The likely economic and social benefits of this proposal do not outweigh the serious environmental impacts on our nationally protected species."